SAN FRANCISCOLong-term anticipated and unanticipated device-related complications occur more frequently with cardiovascular resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) therapy compared with either single- or biventricular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, according to study results presented May 6 at this annual Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) meeting.

SAN FRANCISCOU.S. healthcare reform is imminent and forthcoming; however, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the field of electrophysiology (EP), Richard I. Fogel, MD, of St. Vincent Medical Group in Indianapolis, said during a May 5 presentation at the annual Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) meeting.

SAN FRANCISCOUse of a visually guided laser balloon ablation catheter achieved an 86 percent success rate in isolation of pulmonary veins in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, according to a study presented May 4 at the 32nd annual meeting of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS).

SAN FRANCISCOCardiac arrhytmias were more prevelent in pediatric cardiomyopathy patients compared to any other diagnosis, according to the results of a poster presentation May 4 at the annual Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) scientific sessions. These arrhythmias were linked to longer length of stays and higher costs.

SAN FRANCISCOThe use of a diagnostic mapping tool helped terminate or slow atrial fibrillation (AF) with less than 10 minutes of ablation, according to the results of the CONFIRM trial presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at this years Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). Researchers found that focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM) ablation increased two-year freedom of AF by 70 percent.

This months portal lineup emphasizes the tremendous potential of advanced visualization technologies to improve a wide array of clinical processes. In May, however, womens imaging takes center stage.

SAN FRANCISCOTwo substudies of the MADIT-CRT trial presented May 4 at this years Heart Rhythm Society scientific sessions showed that various factors including a younger age, being male, having a history of ventricular arrhythmia and left bundle branch block (LBBB) can be risk factors for recurrent ventricular tachyarrhytmia (VT) post-cardiac synchronization defibrillator therapy (CRT-D).

SAN FRANCISCOResults of the late-breaking clinical DISCERN AF trial presented at a May 5 morning session at the annual Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) scientific sessions outlined the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in symptomatic patients before and after radiofrequency ablation.